The Quest for Female Identity in Doris Lessing’s The Golden Notebook

Abstract

This dissertation has as an aim the examination of the feminist dilemma in the formation of female identity in The Golden Notebook by Doris Lessing, because the novel deals with issues related to women who live in a male-centred society. It also questions the meaning of being a woman in a patriarchal society. In addition, through the analysis, it aims to highlight female issues, identity, gender, love, marriage, and freedom through studying the experience of the novel’s protagonist, Anna, including various episodes in her life’s journey. In order to do so, it utilizes the feminist approach to discuss femaleness in a contemporary world full of social and political challenges to women. Indeed, the novel gives power and voice to voiceless women all over the world and presents a truthful account of female identity from a feminist point of view.